A second Melbourne Cup, on Almandin, sits atop the baker’s dozen of feature wins this season, which include two more Group 1s, three Group 2s, four Group 3s and three Listed races.

His benchmark is 36 in 2012/13 set during his time as Darley’s No. 1 rider.

Of course off the track he’s added a fourth child, his first daughter Eva-Mae, to his family with wife Cathy but won’t be having a break until he takes the family home to Streaky Bay for Christmas.

“It’s been a whirlwind that’s for sure, it’s been amazing,’’ McEvoy said. “I’ve been lucky enough to get another Melbourne Cup and a healthy baby girl.”

Kerrin McEvoy won his second Melbourne Cup last month on Almandin.Source:AAP

McEvoy is known as a master tactician in staying races and his abilities are likely to be fully tested in all three stakes races at Rosehill.

The in-form hoop, who has 19 Sydney wins this season to be fifth on the premiership table, was able to dictate terms to win on Religify for Chris Waller two weeks ago but concedes he probably won’t get the same advantage in the Festival.

“Gai’s horse Sweet Redemption throws a bit of a spanner in the works but we’ll just have to ride accordingly,’’ McEvoy said. “But my horse doesn’t have to lead and if another is putting on a nice tempo then so be it.

“It’s all about having him in his rhythm and that’s when he can access all his talents. You don’t want it to be in a sit and sprint. If I’m able to wind him up and have them chasing him I know he has the capacity to be strong and toughing it out over the last furlong.’’

Queensland Oaks third placegetter Falkenberg has her final run before a spell in the ATC Cup following a narrow defeat by emerging stayer New Tipperary.

TAB Market Update: Festival Stakes1:11

McEvoy said the four-year-old may have just needed the run last start as it was a month between races and is hoping for a bit of luck from a tricky barrier.

“You’d like to think she’s going to be spot on coming into this race fourth-up,’’ he said.

“I’m going to have to be a bit smart for the first furlong from 10. I’m not sure where I’ll end up from there but I’ll try to get the best spot I can.

“If she steps away well I might be able to get into the first six or seven.’’

McEvoy was able to lead all the way on Princefamous when he resumed with a win in restricted company at the November 19 meeting. But he’s wary of the rise to Listed level and the presence of a few potential leaders.

The five-year-old, who had a bit of a boom on him after winning his first three starts, had a wind operation during his last break and McEvoy said the result was there for everyone to see.

“It was a pretty dominant win after getting a nice run up on the speed,’’ he said. “I’m sure he wouldn’t have gone backwards. He was strong the last furlong and gave a nice kick and his best could be ahead of him.’’